DIY 3D Printers

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315 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#2275763 13-Jul-2019 12:24

I ordered a Anet A6 for Ali a while ago, mine arrived with no hassled in less than a week - Seemed to come from a NZ distribution center which was interesting as I also ordered from a Anet ali store.

I spent two whole days setting it up and tweaking everything, my first print was perfect.

I have since upgraded all but the core electronics (Controller, Motors, end-stops and wiring), I converted mine into this:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2067818

It makes really awesome prints which are miles ahead of the $2000 printer we have at my work... But most of that probably comes down to setup, print settings and calibration.

Item

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#2313707 9-Sep-2019 16:24

So I just ordered myself an Ender 5 from Aliexpress (now shipped, cross fingers) along with the following mods:

1) TL Smoothers

2) Aluminium Extruder

3) Glass bed

4) Capricorn Bowden tubes

Excited to get into my first prints!

chimera

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Ultimate Geek
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#2314274 10-Sep-2019 13:24

Also consider the Ender 5 - but only if you can get on sale as it is more expensive. I've spent weeks researching Ender 3 vs Ender 3 Pro vs Ender 5. The larger print bed of the Ender 5 could be handy for you. Most articles say choice of Ender model is really based on $$$ you're willing to part with, if on the cheaper side then Ender 3 with glass bed and printable upgrades, if a little more then Ender 5 also with glass bed. Avoid Ender 4, and Ender 3 Pro doesn't give too many extra advantages for the money.

Here are the recommended upgrades for Ender 3 (pretty good summary):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq2IKp3jeaY&t=3s

As far as 3D printer reviews go, I've found this guy to be by far the best on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rclifeon+ender

EDIT: Oops, didn't read the 2nd page of the post. Well at least @Item got a good printer at least :-) Watch the vid's in the 2nd link above while you wait for delivery!

Item

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#2314295 10-Sep-2019 14:11

chimera:

Also consider the Ender 5....

EDIT: Oops, didn't read the 2nd page of the post. Well at least @Item got a good printer at least :-) Watch the vid's in the 2nd link above while you wait for delivery!

Good links/videos thanks!

Would you believe it already arrived...order placed Friday arvo and it reaches me from Shenzen by Tuesday morning! Customs didn't get their mitts on it either which is nice.

I paid NZ$546 with free shipping and 2kg (2 rolls) of PLA which I thought was pretty decent.

Will be waiting a bit longer for my upgrades, but that will give me a chance to get to grips with the basic unit. I am planning on trying both Cura and Prusa Slic3r and I already have my OctoPi unit setup and ready to go.

First print attempt tonight, all being well

chimera

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Ultimate Geek
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#2314312 10-Sep-2019 14:27

Wow that's insanely fast delivery. Quickest item I've ever had was 8 days, and I've ordered 100's of items.

At least you got in before the prices go up, GST on all Aliexpress (and similar) goods from 1st October :-(

Item

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#2320988 20-Sep-2019 09:58

So I have had my Ender 5 for about 10 days and it has been running almost non-stop!

Despite ordering all of the "recommended" mods, I have had great results with the stock unit even as a total 3D printing n00b.

That said, the glass base has been great - clearly flatter than the stock so requires far less frequent bed-levelling and the adhesion is excellent, almost too good sometimes!

Looking forward to getting the "silent" motherboard upgrade for sure as it is less likely to irk Mrs Item when it is left running all night...

Whilst I have no data on longer-term reliability and quality yet, the Ender 5 comes highly recommended so far and in terms of performance per $, I have been really impressed.

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chimera

563 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#2323586 23-Sep-2019 22:19

I got stung by customs fees on my Ender 5. Not just the GST (I'd already resigned to the fact that may happen) it was the extra charges on top of that that really @#$% me off.

Customs Entry Fee $55.71

Customs GST $95.85

Disbursement Charge $12.65

Customs EDI Fee and Security Fee $12.08

So TOTAL $176.29 on top of the ~$546 odd I'd paid for it. Grrrr...!

frankv

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#2323730 24-Sep-2019 10:07

chimera:

I got stung by customs fees on my Ender 5. Not just the GST (I'd already resigned to the fact that may happen) it was the extra charges on top of that that really @#$% me off.

Customs Entry Fee $55.71

Customs GST $95.85

Disbursement Charge $12.65

Customs EDI Fee and Security Fee $12.08

So TOTAL $176.29 on top of the ~$546 odd I'd paid for it. Grrrr...!

Yup... every man and his dog is in to clip that ticket.

I recall importing a large item several years ago, and there were charges added on for moving it from one part of the airport to another, plus of course GST on that.

Item

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#2323733 24-Sep-2019 10:11

chimera:

I got stung by customs fees on my Ender 5. Not just the GST (I'd already resigned to the fact that may happen) it was the extra charges on top of that that really @#$% me off.

Customs Entry Fee $55.71

Customs GST $95.85

Disbursement Charge $12.65

Customs EDI Fee and Security Fee $12.08

So TOTAL $176.29 on top of the ~$546 odd I'd paid for it. Grrrr...!

Ugh. For sure, GST you roll the dice on and fair enough - like you say though, all the other fees are rough!

chimera

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Ultimate Geek
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#2323751 24-Sep-2019 10:35

I have made a request for them to justify GST amount though.

The cost of the printer was about $538, and 15% GST on that is about $80, however I was charged $95 (which would imply the value of the printer is $639)

I've paid the invoice anyway, because for the sake of $15 difference I'm not interested in waiting and want it released so I can start tutu'ing, but will see what they come back with regarding the discrepancy... I'd suspect they'll just do a quick search as to the approx value of that model printer, regardless of any discounts received from the supplier.

frankv

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#2323830 24-Sep-2019 11:54

You also pay GST on the cost of shipping to NZ (but not on shipping it within China, if that can be invoiced separately). Presumably also on the Customs Entry Fee, Disbursement Charge, and Customs EDI Fee and Security Fee.

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chimera

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#2324073 24-Sep-2019 16:35

frankv:

You also pay GST on the cost of shipping to NZ (but not on shipping it within China, if that can be invoiced separately). Presumably also on the Customs Entry Fee, Disbursement Charge, and Customs EDI Fee and Security Fee.

Shipping was NZ$21.08, so GST negligible.

Customs Entry fee and obviously the GST component itself are GST exempt.

Their official email response is...

"The Customs charges would have been calculated off the Customs declaration made on the outside of the parcel.

Customs Duty is calculated on the cost of the goods.

The GST is payable on the sum of the cost of the goods, plus Customs Duty, (if any), plus insurance, and freight, to get the goods to New Zealand.

If the total of the Customs Duty and Goods and Services Tax owing is less than NZ$60, Customs does not collect any charges.

Where the total for Duty and GST reaches NZ$60 or more, this becomes payable and an import clearance must be lodged. An import transaction fee of $55.71 is also then payable."

...and to basically provide a receipt for confirmation. Sounding like too much hassle. I've bought pints before for $15 and knocked it over at the pub... might consider this one a spilt beer.

Item

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#2324122 24-Sep-2019 17:26

(apologies to Chimera..!)

Got my Silent motherboard in - wow, what a difference! Day and night - really impressed. I have also now installed the TH3D Universal Firmware which has a great bed-leveling function which automatically moves the nozzle between the 5 points needed to calibrate properly.

So Glass Bed, Silent board and metal extruder are all in and working really well. Just need to upgrade the bowden and I will start experimenting with some ABS prints. Also really tempted to find some quieter fans as it is only really those making significant noise in the setup now...

Really happy with the performance and the quality and the modding has meant I learned far more about the device, its principles and its components than if I had spent $1500+ on a more "plug and play" device.

reven

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#2324127 24-Sep-2019 17:32

+1 for ender 3, i bought one about 2 months ago. very easy to put together, works well.

I got the glass bed, i have to print the first layer super slow and thick for it to stick to the glass without anything else. But if i use painters tape, I can print normal speed the whole way. But personally, I just print the first layer slow. I'm never really in a rush for a print.

chimera

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Ultimate Geek
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#2324261 24-Sep-2019 23:22

Item:

(apologies to Chimera..!)

Got my Silent motherboard in - wow, what a difference! Day and night - really impressed. I have also now installed the TH3D Universal Firmware which has a great bed-leveling function which automatically moves the nozzle between the 5 points needed to calibrate properly.

So Glass Bed, Silent board and metal extruder are all in and working really well. Just need to upgrade the bowden and I will start experimenting with some ABS prints. Also really tempted to find some quieter fans as it is only really those making significant noise in the setup now...

Really happy with the performance and the quality and the modding has meant I learned far more about the device, its principles and its components than if I had spent $1500+ on a more "plug and play" device.

:-)

Got any photo's of your setup with all the mods?

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